Lightning-arrester.



P. H. CHAPMAN 6L vH. M. PINGEN.

LIGHTNING ARRESTER.

APPLICATION FILED rum, 1914.

Patented July 28, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WTNESSES;

A TTU/way.:

P. H. CHAPMAN 6: H. MPINGEN.

- LIGHTNING ARRBSTBR. l APPLICATION rIEILED yIEBJI, 1914. l 1,104,961,` l i .Patented July. 28, 1914. i f i `aamm',r'sa:s}11:1:tr3.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

PAUL H; CHAPMAN AND HENRY'M. PINGEN, or ToIgEDo,foHIoQAss1GNons To THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC sPEcrALTY COMPANY, or ToLEno, oHIo, A CORPORATION or OHIO. i

i LIGHTNING-ARRESTER.'

spectively, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful'lmprovements in Lightning-Arresters, of Awhich the following is aspecilication.

monly called lightning arresters,` for' protecting electrical apparatus from the destructive eects of high potential charges due to lightning, crosses withhigh power wires, and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a lightning arrester of the' vacuum type which will be compact, light-'- in weight, and at the same time very' strong so as to be capable of with,-4

Standing rough handling in shipment .and the' vibration and shocks to which devices of thischaracter are often subjected when in use, 'for example, in railway signal work, and which, furtl1e111ior'e,wvill be simple in construction and economical'to manufacture.

More particularly the inventionis intendv ed to provide in a vacuum lightning arrester of the cartridge type, that isfa `device `con 1pris'.ing an evacuated tube with the leading-in wires for the electrodes extending through the o posite ends of the tube, an ar- 'rangement o the electrodes and the sup- 'fpofrting or-mountin elements for the same which, besides facilltating the manufacture l and 'assembling of the parts. of the device,

serves to reliably and firmly hold the electrodes spaced apart in proper'position in the tube and in addition strengthen and rigidifies the entire structure. In a vacuum v lightning arrester the electrodes and the Abases or supporting elements on which they are mounted are relatively heavy in comparison with the rest of the structure.

iTherefore there is' considerable danger that the devices will be broken or the electrodes displaced from their intended *position either during shipment or after installation, in the latter case, particularly, when used in situations subjecting them to vibration.

The glass tube in an arrester of the cartridge type is ordinarily supported at opposite ends in spring clips or the like. Apparently the great heat developed by a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application mea February 2, 1914.. serial No. 816,070.

Our 'invention relates to devices, com- Patented July 2s, 1914..

discharge between the electrodes softens the glass at the middle of the tube to av certain extent-.=-'l`he' stresses developed onthe rarelied gas when a discharge takes place also appears Ito have a destructive effect upon the adyacent part of the tube. For these and possibly other reasons the glass tube in a device of this" type has a tendency to sag or break in the middle.

Our invention provides an arrangement of the yelectrodes and their mountings which rigidi-fies and strengthens the tube as against this tendency. Furthermore, these arrangejments are such as to facilitate the manufacture and 'assembling Aof thev parts" of the device. f y

The invention is shown,I in certain preferred embodiments, in the accompanying .drawngs,fwherein l a Figure 1 is a plan view of a lightning arrester embodying the invention in one form; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3,1 cross sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig.-2;f Fig. 4,' an end elevation of the ground line end of the arrester; Fig. 5, al sectional view of theA ground electrode, its base member and the stemv on `whichlit is mounted; Fig. 6, a view, in perspective, of the spring terminal clips which support one end of the arrester andprovide for making the electrical connections between the line wires protected and the wires leading to the line wire electrodes in the evacuated tube; Fig. 7, aview, in perspective, of the device for supporting the other end of thetube; Figs. 8 and 9 are views, inL

perspective, of the ground electrode and the' line wire electrodes mounted on their respective bases; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sec-` tional VView of a modified construction; Fig.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive 10 designates a base or block of porcelain or other suitable material having` a binding post 11 for the ground wire 12 and binding posts 13 for the'line wires 14.

15 designates an evacuated tube preferably made of glass, provided at opposite ends with inturned stems 16 and 17. Secured to the stem 16, preferably by a body of asbestos cement 18, is a porcelain base member 19 (Fig. 9) formed with a pair of `lugs 20. Line wire electrodes 21 are secured to the base member 19 on opposite sides of the pair of lugs 20. We have shown, for this purpose, round headed bolts 22 which pass through the electrodes, which latter consist referably of sticks of carbon. 'This end of t e tube is furnished with a porcelain cap` 23 to which are fixed contact plates 24, 24, electrically connected with the electrodes 2l, 21 by leading-in wires 25,25. The tube is supported, at this end, by a pair of spring members 26 secured to the base by bolts. 27 which are connected by wires 28 to the binding posts 13. I

A base member 29 (Figs. 5 and 8) formed with a pair of lugs 30, is secured by a body of asbestos cement 3l to thestem 17 at the other end of the tube. Mounted on the base.

29, between the lugs 30, is a ground wire electrode 32 ,preferably secured to the base bv the round headed bolt 33. A leading-in wire-34 extends from a metal cap 35, surrounding the end of the tube, to the end of bolt 33. This end of the tube is supported in a spring clip 36 (Fig. 7 secured to the block 10 by a screw 37 which is electrically connected to binding post 1 1 by formed with lugs 39 to prevent the longitudinal displacement of the arrester in this direction, in case the arrester is positioned vertically, and for a similar purpose the finger 40 is arranged at the end of the device 'preferably itting into a groove 41 in the end of the cap 35.

If round headed bolts are used for securing the electrodes to theirrespective base members the opposite base ember, in each case, is preferably formed filth an indentation or indentations` 42 toreceive the head or heads of such bolt or bolts. This arrangement, and the fact that the outer ends of the electrodes bear against the projections on the base members opposite to the. base members to which the electrode orelectrodes, as the case may be, are secured, maintain the electrodes' properly spaced apart and in proper position in the center of the block 1`0. The interlocked relationship between the electrodes and the base members also .strengthens and rigidiies the entire. device against any tendency to sag when the tube is heated, or to break because of vibration or other causes when in service, or because of rough handling in shipment. At the same time the parts of the devicecan be manufactured and assembled with verymuch less ,.di'iiculty than would be the case if the bases and electrodes were structurally united. ln

the stem.

a wire 38.-- Preferably the Ispring members 26 yare manufacturing our device, each baseI member may be united with its stem, the electrode or electrodes secured to the base member, and the leading-inwire or wires ysealed through The structures so formed may then be placed in opposite ends of the tube in the interlocked relationship described and the stems sealed to the' tube.-

In Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, we have shown a modified form of our invention. The general construction of the tube, the means for supporting the same and the electrical connections between the electrodes and the line and' grounded wires, are the same as in the device previously described. The onlydifference is in the construction and arrangement of the electrodes andthe base members is formed with jaws 57 which engage the` electrode 55 when the device is-assembled:

lupon which they are mounted. The base We have described our invention as einV f bodied in lightning arresters constructed so as to protect, rin each case, two lines, the discharge taking place from either or lboth line.l wire electrodes to a single grounded elec.

trode.` Obviously the principle of the invention could be' applied to the construction ofa lightning arrester having a single line Vwire electrode, orto one linewire electrodes.

Other modifications might also be devised without departure from the principle of the invention. Therefore, we do notl wish to bei.

understood as limiting the invention 'to the precise constructions, arrangements and devices shown 1n the vdrawln s.

We have used the term boltltto describe the device for securing theelectrode to the bases, but intend' thereby` lro include any suitable screw or equivalent attaching means. While preferring t0 use bolts as shown, the electrodes might be secured toy the basesby other expedients. i

We claim:

1. A vacuum lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, mounting elements arranged -in the tube at opposite ends thereof, and electrodes disposed between said elements which, in each case, are secured to one lmounting element with the opposite end engaged with the other element, for the purpose described. A Y

2. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, mountingelements arranged in the tube at opposite ends thereof, elecyhaving morey than twotrodes disposed between said elements, and attaching bolts for` said electrodes which, in each case, bind the electrode to one element and engage the other element, for the purpose described. 3. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, mounting elements arranged in the tube at opposite ends thereof, electrodes disposed between said elements, and attaching bolts for said electrodes which, in each case, bind the electrode to one ele- `ment and provide a projection for engaging the other element.

4. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, mounting elements arranged.

in the tube at opposite ends thereof, electrodes disposed between said elements, and attaching bolts for said electrodes' having heads which project from the ends of lthe electrodes, said elements being formed with recesses into' which the heads of said bolts lit. i

5. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, mounting elements arranged in said tube at opposite ends thereof, electrodes disposed between said elements which, in each case, are secured to one of said elements, sald lelements being formed with spacing projections, for the purpose described.

i 6. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, a base member transversely arranged in the tube at each'end thereof, a pair of electrodes, bolts having projecting heads securing one of said electrodes to one base member and the other to the other base member, the base members being formed with recesses into which said heads are fitted.

7.4A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, a base member transversely arranged in the tube at each end thereof, a pair of electrodes, bolts having projecting heads securing one of said electrodes to omI base member and the other to the other base member, kthe base members being formed with recesses into which said heads are iitted, and with spacing projections between the electrodes.

8. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube formed with inturned stems .at opposite ends, mounting elements secured to said stems, electrodes arranged between said mounting elements which, in each case, are secured to oneof said mounting elements and engage with the other mounting element, `for the purpose described. l

9. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube formed with inturned stems atopposite ends, mounting elements secured to said stems, and electrodes arranged between said mounting elements which. in-

each case, arc secured to one of said mount-l ingelements and engage with the other mounting element, said elements being formed with spacing projections which intervene between said electrodes.

10. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube formed with inturned stems at opposite ends, mounting elements secured to said stems, electrodes arranged between said mounting elements, and bolts which, in each case, secure an electrode to one of said mounting elements and which are formed with projecting heads, the oppo site mounting element, in each instance, bcing formed with a recess into which the head of the bolt -its.

11. A lightning .arrester comprising an evacuated tube formed with inturned stems at opposite ends, mounting elements secured to said stems, electrodes arranged between said mounting elements, and bolts,

which in each case, securel an electrode to one of said mounting elements and which are formed with projecting heads, the opposite mounting element, in each instance, being formed with a` recess into which the head of a bolt fits, and being formed with spacing projections intervening between said electrodes.

12. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube having inturned stems at opposite ends thereof, a base member mounted on one of said stems and formed with a web, a pair of line wire electrodes mounted on said base member on opposite sides of said web, a 'base member secured to the other of said stems, a grounded electrode mounted on said last named base member, and jaws on said web adapted to engage said grounded electrode. f

13. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, base members mounted in opposite ends of said tube, a pair of line wire electrodes having leading-in wires sealed through one end of said tube which are mounted on one of said base members, and a ground electrode having a leading-in wire, which is sealed through the other end of the tube, mounted on the other base member.

14. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, base members mounted in opposite ends `of said tube, a pair 0f line wire electrodes having leading-in wires sealed through one end of said tube which are mounted on one of said base members, and a ground electrode having a leading-in wire', which is sealed through the other end of the tube andmounted on the other base member; the two structures comprising,in each case, the base member and the electrode,

or electrodes secured thereto, having an interlocking engagement with each other, for the purpose described. y i

15. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube having inturne'd stems, base members mounted on said stems, a pair of line Wire electrodes` haring leading-in Wires sealed through one end of said tube which are mounted on one of said base members, a ground electrode having a. leading-in Wire which is sealed through the other end of the tube and mounted on the other base member; the two structures comprising, in each case, the base member'and the electrode, or electrodes mounted thereon, having an interlocking engagement with each other, for the purpose described. i

16. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube, base members mounted in opposite ends of said tube and an electrode secured to each of said base members; the

tWo structures comprising, in each case, the base member and the electrode secured thereto having an interlocking engagement with each other, for the purpose described.

17. A lightning arrester comprising an evacuated tube having inturnedstems at opposite ends, base members mounted 0n' said' stems, and an electrode secured to each of said base members; the two structures comprising, in each case, the base member and the electrode secured. thereto having an interlocking engagement With each other, for the purpose described.

18. A lightning arrester comprising a base, an evacuatedtube, a ground electrode mounted in one en'd of'said tube, a pair of line wire electrodes in the other end of said tube, Contact plates arrangedexteriorly of the tube at one end thereof, leading-in Wires sealed through the tube, and connected with said line Wiiieelectrodes respectively, and With said contact plates,P and a pair of spring members electrically connected With the lines which the arrester serves Which support one end of said tube and are in contact with said contact plates.

19. A lightning arrester comprising a base, an evacuated tube, a ground electrode mounted in one end of said tube, a pair of line wire electrodes in the other end of said tube, contact plates arranged exteriorly of the tube at one end thereof, leading-in Wires sealed through the tube and connected With said line Wire electrodes respectively, and

with vsaid contact plates, a pair of spring f members electrically connected with the lines which the arrester serves which support one end of said tube and are in contact with said contact plates, a spring clip to support .the other end of said tube, a metal cap on this end of the tube, a' leading-in Wire electrically connecting said cap with the ground electrode, a ground connection from said clip, and a spring finger adapted to bear against the end of the cap.

PAUL H. CHAPMAN. HENRY M. PINGEN.

Vitnesses M. E. DICK, MYER GELURD. 

